Money in Malaysia: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange
Drawing over 27 million people annually, Malaysia has long been a popular tourist destination for regional travellers. Most come for short stays to experience...
Best Time to Visit Malaysia from Australia: What to do, weather, visas, and more
Malaysia is a relatively accessible destination with great food, lovely beaches, interesting historical and cultural sites and excellent infrastructure allowing for a low stress visit. If you’re thinking of your next break away, you might be wondering about the best time to visit Malaysia from Australia.
The Malaysian temperature is pretty stable, but you might want to think about the impact of the monsoons on your visit if you’re thinking of hitting the beach. This guide walks through the best month to visit Malaysia for different itineraries. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way to spend internationally.
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When is the best time to visit Malaysia from Australia
The best time to visit Malaysia from Australia is from January to March. This window has the driest weather right after the Australian summer holidays, which means fewer crowds and more competitive pricing.
Malaysia is a very large country, which means that the weather across different areas can vary a lot at any given time. There’s always somewhere good to visit, but the right place for your trip might vary depending on the time of year.
Let’s work through what to do in Malaysia month by month so you can get a flavour for the different options.
Northeast Monsoon: December - February
While the monsoon rains fall in the east of Malaysia, the western Andaman coast experiences wonderful weather, making this period a great time for visits to the western islands and coast.
December: December is one of the most expensive months to visit Malaysia from Australia, with flight costs peaking. There can also be Christmas and New Year crowds to contend with so you’ll need to book your accommodation well in advance. All that said, it’s a perfect time of year if you want a Malaysian beach break. Check out resorts on Langkawi for a relaxing beachside stay.
January: Once the New year is over, visitor numbers on the western coast and islands can fall, but the weather remains glorious making this a great time to visit. If you’re interested in a mix of culture, nature and history, a trip to Georgetown can be an excellent choice. Avoid Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo as the rain here can be disruptive.
February: Lunar New Year, which often falls in February, is celebrated in many areas of Malaysia. Expect dragon dances, rituals and decorations, and embrace the festive spirit. In most areas there are at least 2 days of public holidays, and many people can choose to travel to their hometowns during this important festival. Make sure your travel plans won’t be impacted by closures - while major hotels continue as normal, more rural and smaller hotels and tour operators may shut up shop for a while.
Shoulder Season: March - May
There are plenty of things to do in Malaysia during the quieter shoulder season, when tourist numbers are relatively low and hotel prices can fall. This period sees excellent weather in many areas which opens up opportunities for beachgoers, hikers and anyone looking to get out and about before the heat builds later in the year.
March: If your plans in Malaysia include trekking you could find March is a great time to tackle popular routes such as the climb up Gunung Ledang in Johor. Or pick one of the other fabulous National parks in Malaysia, such as Taman Negara which offers excellent hiking and river exploration, with plenty of wildlife to see.
April: Malaysian Borneo experiences good weather during this period, making it a good chance to visit Sabbah if you intend on hiking and nature exploration. There’s also great diving in the area, although you’ll need to plan in advance for some destinations as permits are required. Kuala Lumpur can be very wet during April, so plan indoor activities as a back up if you’re heading there.
May: The eastern coasts and islands are becoming a good bet by May, with popular destinations like the Perhentian Islands seeing an end to the rain and an increase in sunny days. This group of stunning islands offer white sandy beaches which are well worth the slightly complicated travel from Kuala Lumpur.
High Season: June - August
The Australian winter sees relatively dry conditions in Malaysia, with excellent dive conditions and higher visitor numbers in many popular resorts. It’s a great time to visit Malaysia as long as you plan ahead to get a hotel and excursions arranged without hassle.
June: The weather in Kuala Lumpur has stabilised and offers good conditions for visiting the local attractions. And of course, if you need to beat the heat you can always head to a mall or join in the fun at a food court. Eating is a national obsession in Malaysia, so expect to be very well fed.
July: While the school holiday crowds can start to build in July, it is a great time of year for beach activities including diving and snorkeling on the eastern coasts and islands. The waters are pretty calm still, and visibility is good. And if you don’t want to commit to just one location you can also set up island hopping adventures taking in places like Tioman and Rawa with relative ease.
August: Before the rains begin, many communities are packing in the festivals in a last effort to make the most of the good weather. Penang has a particularly busy festival schedule during August, and the whole country comes together at the end of the month for Hari Merdeka, Malaysia’s National Day.
Shoulder Season: September - November
Much of Peninsular Malaysia gets heavy rain from October through November, which means fewer visitors and lower prices. It’s not optimal beach weather, but if you’re thinking of a trip taking in cities and historical sites it can be a perfect option.
September: September can bring mixed weather across many areas, but generally the rain isn’t disruptive in the east as yet. Pack an umbrella and have a variety of activities planned to make sure you’re not impacted by the rain when it comes.
October: The Cameron Highlands is particularly pretty in this period as the landscape blooms with the heavier rain. This region is known for its wonderful agricultural produce, and can offer some interesting tours and outdoor activities when the weather is conducive.
November: Rain is pretty common through November, but Melaka can be a good choice with lower rainfall and lots of interesting places to visit. Alternatively, use the opportunity of the wetter weather to explore Kuala Lumpur, where it’s always easy enough to dodge the storms in malls, restaurants, museums and other indoor locations.
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What to do in Malaysia for Australians
There’s plenty to do in Malaysia, and while different times of year might have their own advantages and drawbacks, there’s always a good destination to consider. Once you’ve decided when to go to Malaysia, you’ll need to plan your activities - here are a few common options.
Beach activities
Whether you’re planning island hopping, relaxing on the shore, snorkeling or diving, there’s loads of options for beach breaks in Malaysia. Plus, as the monsoon rains tend to hit different areas at different times, there are locations all year round which can be a good pick for sun worshippers.
History and culture
Malaysia has a fascinating history, and even a short visit to places like Georgetown can help you get under the skin of the country’s past. There are many local and national festivals which you can get involved in, too, giving you plenty of chances to have a unique Malaysian experience wherever you decide to go.
Food and drink
Malaysian food offers iconic choices like Laksa and Nasi Lemak, as well as nods to the different cultures which have influenced the cuisine over the years. Check out Roti Canai with delicious curry, or Char Kway Teow if you love your noodles.
Planning a trip to Malaysia from Australia
Once you’ve decided when the optimal time for your visit to Malaysia will be, you can start to get the practical arrangements in place. Here are a few important considerations when planning a trip to Malaysia from Australia.
Malaysia visa requirements for Australians
Generally you can visit Malaysia as a tourist, if you have an Australian passport, for up to 90 days, with a visa on arrival issued at the border¹.
It’s also mandatory to complete a Malaysian digital arrival card, which can be done up to 3 days prior to entering the country through the official website².
If you’ve got an Australian passport you can choose to either use the border control counters, or if you’re coming into Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you can also use the auto gates to speed the process up. If you use the auto gates it’s important to know that you’ll need to keep a copy of your visit pass handy in case you’re asked to show it to border officers. When you complete your Malaysian digital arrival card you’ll receive an email with a link to allow you to access your visit pass. It’s a good idea to take a screenshot of this in case you need to present it during your visit.
Flights to Malaysia from Australia
You can fly direct to Malaysia from Australia, from cities including Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin and Melbourne. Flight times from Perth and Darwin are under 6 hours on average, with the journey taking 8 hours or more from other departure airports. Once you’re in Malaysia you can also get easy low cost connections within the country if you’re heading on a multi-city trip.
The cheapest flights from Australia to Malaysia can usually be found from August through November, making this a good choice to escape the winter weather. Carriers include JetStar, Scoot, Turkish Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air and Firefly. This allows you to choose the route and carrier which fits your needs and your budget.
Get the most out of your AUD to MYR conversions on your holiday with Wise
The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.
Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.
Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.
This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://growth-layer.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
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*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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